Argos online shoppers have been issued a warning after a spike in criminals gaining unauthorised access to retailer accounts by posing as the brand. Report Fraud is urging online shoppers to stay alert for unusual activity on their accounts following a rise in criminals gaining access to buy expensive goods.
How the Scam Works
Criminals are using login details obtained from data breaches to gain unauthorised access to retailer accounts. This is possible due to the practice of reusing the same password across multiple online accounts. Once they have control of the account, criminals place online orders and then collect the goods in-person at a physical store. In some instances, the goods are paid for using payment details not connected to the victim of the compromised account. These fraudulent orders are frequently fulfilled through ‘click and collect’, allowing offenders to retrieve goods in person.
Rise in Reports
Recent reporting highlights Argos as a key trend in this activity. Report Fraud has seen a significant increase in cases mentioning the retailer, reflecting how criminals are targeting well-known brands. In May, Report Fraud received 652 reports which mention Argos, a 323% increase compared to April, when 154 reports mentioning the retailer were made. Since the start of 2026, there have been 1,175 reports mentioning the retailer, with May seeing the highest number to date.
Official Warnings
Detective Chief Inspector Steven Kettle, Head of Crime Services at Report Fraud, said: “Report Fraud urges anyone with online retail accounts to remain vigilant and be alert to any unusual or suspicious activity. It is essential to take appropriate steps to protect your accounts by following Report Fraud’s guidance. If you believe you have been a victim of fraud, please report it to Report Fraud via reportfraud.police.uk or by calling 0300 123 2040.”
Expert Advice
Speaking to Newspage, Marty Bauer, ecommerce expert at Omnisend, said: “These scams exploit familiar and trusted shopping experiences that retailers spend years trying to build. The customer is not necessarily being tricked by a fake website or a suspicious text message. In many cases, criminals are using real login details to access genuine accounts, place real orders and collect the goods before the shopper realises anything has happened. Retailers and consumers are both victims of this crime. Once a customer feels their account is not secure, it can affect how comfortable they feel shopping with that brand again, even when the retailer itself has been targeted by criminals.
“Password reuse is one of the biggest risks for shoppers. If the same password is used across email, shopping accounts, streaming services and loyalty schemes, one password exposed during a data leak can quickly put several accounts at risk. Scammers often focus on well-known brands because they have large customer bases, familiar checkout processes and accounts that may not be checked regularly.
“If you spot any unusual account activity, or receive a suspicious email with an order you haven’t placed, contact the retailer directly to see if it is legitimate. They may even be able to cancel the order before it is fulfilled. Make sure you change your password and report the fraud to your bank and to the police.”
What to Do
Argos is actively working with authorities and its customers to identify suspicious activity and strengthen safeguards. Customers are advised to use unique passwords for each online account, enable two-factor authentication where possible, and regularly monitor account activity for any unauthorised transactions.
